Car-coupling



(No Model.)

0. H. KNOWLTON.

OAR COUPLING.

Patented Aug. 9 1887.

Czar Z 37020 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. KNOIVLTON, OF ROOKLAND,

MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF PART TO JONATHAN P. OILLEY, OF SAME PLACE, AND GEORGE E. BOLTON AND VALTER M. LOIVNEY, BOTH OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,155, dated August 9, 1887.

Application filed March 14, 1887. Serial No. 230,803. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. KNOWL- TON, of Rockland, in the county of Knox and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oar-Couplings; and I do hereby declare thatthe followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improvementin car-coup lers, and relates especially to devices combined with the link for operating and controlling the same.

The invention has for its object the provision of means and arrangements of the parts where by the liability of damage to the link and other parts will in the operation of coupling be re duced to a minimum. Further, I aim to secure such an arrangement whereby the link may be operated safely by the attendant from the side of the draw-head, and whereby, also, the link may be set and held to any inelina tion to suit different heights of cars or their d raw-heads.

My invention therefore consists of a pivoted link held normally in an inclined posi tion, in combination with a weight or yielding holding device, by which it will be returned to said position. Further, in the combination of a pivoted link with a peculiar and novel form of weighted operating bar or lever, where by the upward inclination of the link may be determined at the will of the attendant. Further, the minor details of construction and arrangement which go to make up the effective combination above referred to also form a part of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device, the link being in normal position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the link in the position assumed by it should the opposite draw-head strike it. Fig. 3 is asimilar view, the link being slightly elevated. Fig. 4 shows a horizontal section. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the opposite side of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, A represents the draw-head and B the link. A bar or shaft extends transverse] y across the mouth of the d raw-head, having its bearings in the walls thereof. The central portion of the shaft is rectangular in crosssection, and upon this portion the link Bis supported, the latter being provided for this purpose with elongated slots formed in enlargements at its rear end. The slots allow slight longitudinal movement of the link. The shaft or bar 0 is adapted to partially rotate in its bearings. At the end 1, Figs. 4 and 5, it projects beyond the wall of the draw-head into casing formed upon the side thereof, as at 2. Around this projecting end a coil-spring is placed, one end thereof engaging with the shaft, as shown, and the other end, 3, being free, but adapted to be thrown against and away from a pin, as a, located on the side of the draw-head. Therelativc position and arrangement of these parts-viz., the shaft, the link,the spring,andthepinaresueh that when the free end of the spring engages with the pin the link will be held inclining downwardly to a slight degree. It often happens in the op eration of coupling cars that the link is either too high or too low in relation to the mouth of the opposite draw-head, in which case the link will be jammed or broken by being struck by the wall of said draw-head or the timbers of the car. The arrangement described above entirely obviates this difliculty, inasmuch as the inclined position of the link, together with the spring-holding devices, causes and allows the link to be thrown down without injury when the opposite draw-head strikes it, as shown in the drawings. The bottom of the draw-head is cut out to allow the link to recede beyond the face. The spring acts to return the link to its normal inclined position. In most instances, however, this inclination will serve to direct the link of the other car to its place, and the holding means will permit the link to rise should it be engaged with a lower inclined link of the opposite car. It will be noticed that when the link is raised from its normal inclined position the spring is rendered inactive; Upon the projecting end 5 of the shaft C, I arrange a weighted arm or lever, b, which also extends to hold the link to its normal position. This arm moves within aloop, 7, the sides of which serve as stops for the lever. Between the point where the arm bears upon the loop and the end of the shaft a joint is formed, of such a character as will permit the upward movement of the outer weighted end of said arm independent of the other section,while preventing downward movement of the same. When the link is forced downward, it will be obvious that the weighted arm will move until it strikes the upper side of the loop, which will limit the movement of the link. In this position the Weight acts in conjunction with the coiled spring to return the link to its normal position. The weighted lever serves also, as before stated, to operate the link to determine its position above the normal. In its manipulation the outer weighted portion is raised or tilted on its bearing of the loop out of line with the portion 8 connected to the shaft, which action has the efi'ect of throwing the entire weight and the force applied by the operator upon said arm, thus throwing it down and raising the link. Ihe balance between the parts is such that the link will remain in whatever position it may be adjusted. A bar may connect the rear portion of the link-arm, as shown in-Fig. 4., to give strength to the same.

A dog of ordinary form, as shown, may be employed to'engage with the link of the opposite draw-head.

I do not wish to limit myself to the precise form of spring and weighted lever shown, as these can be varied as mechanical skill may dictate. I also wish it understood that while I prefer to use the combination of the weighted lever and spring, the employment of the latter is not absolutely essential to the success of the device, as the weight may answer this purpose. It will be obvious that a spring of equivalent force may be connected to the outer end of the lever instead of the weight.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination, the draw-head, the link, the shaft or bar 0 for pivotally supporting said link in an inclined position, and a spring encircling said shaft for returning the link, when it is depressed, to its normal condition.

2. In combination, the draw-head, the link pivoted therein upon the shaft 0, the lever connected to the shaft, said lever being made in two parts pivotally connected, the weight upon the outer part, and the bearing-point for the outer part, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the draw-head and shaft 0, the link having its end open and supported upon the said shaft, and provided with a crossbar extending between the sides of the link, substantially as described.

4. In combination, the draw-head, the link pivoted therein and held normally in inclined position, a weight or spring whereby it is placed under tension when moved in one direction from its normal position and is allowed free movement in the opposite direction, and a two-part weighted lever or bar for operating the link in the opposite direction and adapted to hold said link to any adjustment, substantially as described.

- In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. KNOWLTON.

Witnesses:

A. E. PERRY, J. P. OILLEY. 

